Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren had to be helped off the court after a hard fall in the lane against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. The team later announced he suffered a right iliac wing fracture and a return-to-play protocol will be provided in eight to 10 weeks.
Holmgren, not even midway through the first quarter of their 127-116 loss to the Warriors at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, went up to contest a layup from Andrew Wiggins on the baseline. After he made contact with Wiggins, Holmgren landed hard directly on his right hip underneath the basket.
Wiggins made the layup and did not draw a foul, but Holmgren remained under the hoop in pain for quite some time before he was eventually helped back to the locker room. Holmgren struggled to put any weight on his right leg as he left the court.
Concern here in OKc: Chet Holmgren took a shot to the side while defending an Andrew Wiggins first quarter layup. Just needed help getting to the locker room. Wasn’t putting weight on right leg. Appeared to be grabbing hip/oblique area when he was on the ground. pic.twitter.com/ZGF3mCwqmG
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 11, 2024
Holmgren, whom the Thunder selected with the No. 2 overall pick in 2022 out of Gonzaga, missed his entire first season in the league with a foot injury he sustained in a pro-am game. He averaged 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game last season, his first true year in the league, while helping Oklahoma City to its first playoff appearance since 2020.
Holmgren entered Sunday’s game averaging 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in nine games this season. He had no points and four rebounds Sunday when he was injured and will now miss a large chunk of the season again.
“Can’t tell if I feel better or worse about this having been through something similar before,” Holmgren wrote on Twitter early Monday morning. “On one hand I know how to approach it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is. But on the other hand I’ve felt the frustration of this process, and the wear it puts on your mind. Most of all I’m hurt I can’t help my teammates and play for our fans and supporters for a while.”
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points and seven assists in the win while draining seven 3-pointers. The loss dropped Oklahoma City into a first-place tie atop the Western Conference with Phoenix and Golden State.
Backup center Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder’s $87 million free-agent acquisition, hasn’t played yet after suffering a broken hand in the preseason. He could return later this month and will play a huge role until Holmgren heals.
“Everyone who sticks with me and our team, along with my need for hoops, is a big part of my passion to return,” Holmgren continued on Twitter. “Don’t pity me or feel bad, there’s lots of people out there rn with real problems that don’t heal. Anyways excuse my rambling just wanted to address our okc fans and family. Thoughts from da hospital bed.”